The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Agency is likely to decide that US restrictions against Huawei would make it extremely difficult to use the technology from the Chinese business as intended for 5G networks.
Announced on Sunday, the emergency evaluation is aimed at setting the stage for British regulators to press for the full removal of Huawei equipment in UK's telecommunications systems by 2023 and put an end to a conservative backbench opposition.
British authorities confirmed on Sunday that the NCSC is reviewing the additional risks that Huawei products may see due to the restrictions imposed by the US government. The branch of the Government Communications Headquarters of the UK came up with a decision following a Tuesday conference.
Confirming the evaluation, a government spokesperson disclosed that the security and resilience of British communications networks is of major importance. The NCSC, regulators said, is carefully reviewing any impact Huawei's equipment could have on UK's networks.
In January, British regulators opposed US pressure to prevent the Chinese multinational technology company from engaging in 5G. The US prohibitions were intended to keep Huawei from using US technology and operating systems to develop its semiconductors.
The US Commerce Department is worried that Huawei has defied policies imposed in 2019 that mandates the company to secure a permit to be able to export US products. The department stated that the Chinese firm got around the policy by using US semiconductor-making equipment at facilities in other nations.
The deepening animosity between Beijing and Washington over allegations that China tried to conceal the start of coronavirus infections has been monitored by the US as it brought along the new laws. US President Donald Trump has threatened to hold back intelligence if Huawei is not taken out of the British communications infrastructure.
The UK's move will signify a fast turnaround of the rules declared by officials in January to restrict Huawei to 35 percent of British 5G supply. The move also risks annoying Beijing and adding hundreds of millions in operating expenses to the BT Group and other telecoms players.
Mobile companies in the UK were notified by the NCSC that they would be given a three-year timetable to comply with limitations on the use of Huawei technology in their networks. In reaction to the evaluation, Huawei vice president Victor Zhang stated that their priority is to continue the introduction of a secure and reliable 5G network across the UK.
Meanwhile, worries regarding the Chinese telco giant's involvement in the UK tech landscape has also been expressed by other members of the so-called Five Eyes organization of information-sharing nations: Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
